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Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 20th, 2016, 7:51 am
by Manitou
As much as I love to take my motorcycle with me, I've found it a pain too. I like being able to a regular size parking spot. My full suspension mountain bike is great, but a folding electric bike would be better I think. Anyone have thoughts on folding bikes? (Electric not required, but I spend time in hilly parts.. So the assist would be great)

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 20th, 2016, 11:54 am
by Chinookers
The problem with folding bikes for a 21' Chinook owner is where to store it. I used to have a Dahon Ciao D5 that at various times I hung off the ladder or put it up on thr roof rack. A $1000 bike on the ladder is too attractive a target and likely to be stolen. Putting it on the roof was just plain tedious. Keeping it inside blocked the aisle. Better to have a cheap bike on a front mounted rack out of the way of the rear door. Cheap so that it's not a target for thieves and also so that it does not matter if it gets a bit banged up on the front. Just an opinion FWI.

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 20th, 2016, 12:48 pm
by Blue~Go
I have a folding Dahon as well. It's an older Mariner model - has speeds but no suspension or etc. I don't have it along right now, but if I did I'd likely put it in the passenger seat area as my first choice (obviously only works when solo). Or on a front hitch (I have my spare tire there now, but could put it back on the rear and use the front hitch for a bike thus making for no door blockage). I don't have a roof rack/box but I know I'd hate getting stuff up and down from one, so haven't been moved to add one.

Another option is a swing out rear storage dealie such as a Swing Away or a Velo Combo. You do have to swing it open to access the door, so it's still not a free lunch - but is an option.

One of the minuses to a rear-door rig (OTOH, 12' lumber just slides right in :lol: )

Of course one other way to have stowage for tons of sports gear is to have a tow car and load it up (kayaks, bikes, dive gear... you name it!).

I happen to be making a trip towing a 6 x 12 single-axle cargo trailer right now and it's amazingly "not there" compared to either my boat or a friend's tow car I have towed (not that the tow car is onerous but you can't back up, and I can back up no problem with the cargo trailer). I'm hauling stuff for a project but it *could* be sporting gear. Can't fit in a single parking spot though obviously.

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 21st, 2016, 2:00 pm
by Manitou
I have a front recover hitch, but when I mount the motorcycle up there I can only drive in the daytime (blocks headlights too much). I assume a bicycle just doesn't have enough to profile to block them much?

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 21st, 2016, 10:16 pm
by Blue~Go
I don't really know. My Dahon would be small enough when folded that it wouldn't block the headlights at all if it were on a front tray or etc. (folds to 11" x 22" x 23"). But then that's not really what you think of when you think of carrying a bicycle - more like a full sized one I imagine. I do find it annoying when people have a bunch of bicycles (front or rear) and they block the lights (which they often do). So it's definitely something to think about.

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: April 22nd, 2016, 12:55 pm
by deppstein
I have put a Swagman Disparch bike rack in front of our 2004 Premier--having previously mounted a front hitch. This is a very sturdy unit (threaded pin through hitch to eliminate wobble), with single crossbar that holds 2 bikes. The out of the box mount diagram was a tad too far out for me, so I re-drilled the plate to shorten the extended distance from the grill...BUT, not so much as to have it so close that bike handlebars would interfere with opening the hood. I spread the mounts for the bikes such that the headlights shine right through the spokes...using headlights has been fine--no issues at all on six week trip last summer from Boston to Montana and back (night driving included). So I imagine that small wheels of folding bike would create even less interference. I also have the option of dropping the rack to hitch level (down about 6 inches from where it is now) to make it easier to mount my new electric bike (Copenhagen Wheel) so motor in wheel will not block headlight...just need to drill two more holes in the plate that holds the horizontal "out" bar of the rack.
I have attached a few pics of the set-up from different angles.
David

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: June 30th, 2022, 3:54 pm
by terance13
David...you are too amazing!

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: July 1st, 2022, 5:04 am
by deppstein
Seeing this old picture of my front mounted bike rack on this thread for folding bikes made me realize that we might sometimes miss getting the latest information to a question or concern due to the inevitable referencing of the same (or similar) information under different Board Topics. Not sure there is really anything to do about that...But, in the interest of trying to keep things current, I am writing here to say that there is updated information regarding the configuration of my front-mounted bike hitch with added "plow-lights" (including pictures) on the Towing and Toys Board Index under the topic of Bike Hitch Rack. I've had this set up now for almost three years I think, and it has worked out very well for me.
David

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: July 1st, 2022, 8:19 am
by chin_k
Is this the thread, deppstein?
viewtopic.php?t=1902

Re: Folding bicycle?

Posted: July 1st, 2022, 10:02 am
by deppstein
Chin, et all…that is another interesting and related topic thread, but not the one I was referencing. Here is the link you are looking for:
viewtopic.php?t=969